Genetic Epidemiological Studies of Apolipoprotein E and Alzheimer's Disease

For the past 13 years the MIRAGE project has demonstrated that genetic factors play a major role in the development of Alzheimer's Disease (AD) among patients ascertained in clinical settings. This research has also shown that the E4 variant of apolipoprotein E (APOE), is the strongest AD risk factor identified thus far.

The researchers are turning their attention to the growing body of evidence from pathological, epidemiological and genetic studies that risk factors for vascular disease also enhance the risk of AD. However, since most epidemiological studies lack neuroimaging data, it is unclear whether the apparent association between vascular risk factors and AD is brought about by ischemic injury to the brain, acceleration of the primary Alzheimer neurodegenerative process, or some other process.

Some vascular risk factors are more prevalent in African American and Japanese American populations than in Caucasians. This study will build upon earlier work by evaluating the association between APOE, genes involved in vascular function, and other indictors of cerebrovascular health including blood pressure and structural brain imaging (MRI), and susceptibility to AD in these ethnic groups.

In order to carry out this project successfully, a sample of 1000 patients (500 Caucasians, 300 African Americans, 200 Japanese Americans) who meet NINCDS/ADRDA criteria for probable or definite AD from 11 centers in the U.S., Canada and Germany will be recruited. Many patients will be identified from the existing family registries. Family history, medical history, and epidemiological information will be obtained from the AD patient and their first-degree relatives using standardized questionnaire instruments and established protocols. A cognitive screening test will be administered to and blood samples will be collected from the patient's living siblings, spouses and children over the age of 50 years. DNA, plasma and MRI of the brain will be evaluated in patients and siblings.